A Splash of Murder

Seabreeze Bookshop #11

by Penny Brooke

Finally getting a much-needed break from running her gran’s bookshop, Rue embarks on a literary-themed cruise to the Bahamas with her friend Andy, an overworked private investigator. Not only will Rue get to soak up the sun, sip specialty cocktails, and participate in book-related activities, she’ll have a chance to mingle with famous authors whose titles she proudly stocks at her bookstore.

But when a wildly popular author goes missing and their fans aboard the ship stage a mutiny, Rue finds herself once again in the middle of an investigation. Worse yet, there is calamity back home that Rue must juggle amidst the mayhem at sea.

Will Rue determine the whereabouts of the missing author? Or will she find herself out of her depth, risking her own life in the turbulence?

This fun-filled and clean bookshop cozy mystery will have you guessing until the very end.

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2024

About the author

Penny Brooke has been reading mysteries for as long as she can remember. When not penning her own stories, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, crocheting, and cozying up with her pups and a good novel.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A weeklong book cruise to the Bahamas looks like the perfect break for Rue & Andy. Attending panels, meeting favorite authors, making connections for her bookstore, as well as soaking up some sun, sounds like a problem free time. But when the wildly popular author of a pirate themed romance series doesn’t return to the ship, Rue can’t help thinking something is wrong. Sure, Helen has been known to avoid her fans, and her husband isn’t concerned, but when she still hasn’t returned at the next port, Rue has a bad feeling. Having witnessed an altercation between Helen & an unknown person prior to her disappearance, as well as other suspicious activity by the people in Helen’s circle, Rue certainly has legitimate questions. However, with Helen’s fans causing havoc in protest to her absence, security is dismissive of Rue’s observations until Andy gets involved.

Meanwhile, Rue finds out that things are not going smoothly at the bookstore. With it being launch week for another popular author, she felt guilty leaving the store. A problem with the book shipment and missing stress balls has Elizabeth feeling frazzled. Will she be able to fix it before the bookstore customers mutiny?

Another delightful cozy from Penny Brook. Gatsby learning to FaceTime was a cute addition, as well as his antics bringing another big name author to store for a signing. Rue using a Ask Me Anything panel to bring down the culprit was a great twist. Although book 11, prior knowledge of the series isn’t necessary to enjoy this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Daryl P Goodwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 11 in this series has a different twist.

Penny Brooke has given us an insight into the world surrounding the Seabreeze bookshop and its main characters. This probably would work as a standalone as few of the previous supporting characters feature and the author has set herself a challenge as the only aid is her male PI friend who makes it clear vacation takes priority over sleuthing. Rue, however, is working hard in not only giving presentations to book afficionados, but also seems to be the only one concerned when a bestselling author goes missing.
The connection to the Seabreeze is tenuous and at a distance, but Rue makes a new canine friend - which in turn leads to furthering her investigation in the face of most people's indifference. A few scenes with fans dressed as pirates give diversion as well as information.
Rue's exposure to peril is much less and her usual confrontation of suspect(s) is more guarded and public. An easy read which kept my interest, but I felt there was too much luck and the perpetrator was easy to spot early on. The close of the book gave no information about the effect of events on her vacation companion or their ongoing relationship.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Rue and her friend Andy are off on a cruise, where Rue is a guest speaker. However, mystery and intrigue are never far from Rue, and when a popular author goes missing from the cruise ship, Rue can't help but get involved looking for her.

This is a really good, cosy mysyery series about a bookseller who gets involved in solving the murders which just happen to occur around her.

Whilst each book is a standalone mystery, the books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and wider storyline.

If you liked this book and series, then try one of Penny Brooke's other cosy mystery series; Garden Cove Library and Word Travels Mobile Bookshop series.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Happened to Helen Cassidy ? . . .

Rue is ready for a vacation and is delighted to sign up for a literary-themed cruise on Calypso Cruise Lines to the Bahamas along with her private investigator friend Andy. Both are prepared for a relaxing trip, but things don’t work out that way. When one of the authors disappears, Rue begins an investigation with Andy to find what happened to the missing author, Helen Cassidy. Will they find her alive? Or dead? And what clever method will she use to expose the suspect?

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gotta give ole Andy credit for trying to take a vacation at least but he should’ve known wherever his pal Rue goes, there’s always gonna be a mystery of some kind. And a cruise ship was no exception.

There was no shortage of suspects and I was never sure whodunit, so I just enjoyed the sleuthing and Rue with her usual blurted out questions to people, gotta love her! But hey it worked in flushing out a killer. I’m not sure she and Andy were too well rested after this trip, lol, but it was sure an experience!

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this had everything that I was hoping for from this series, I enjoyed the mystery of this book and the rest of the series. I was invested in what was happening and getting to figure out what was going on. It had everything that I enjoyed from Penny Brooke's writing and the way they created these characters. I enjoyed getting back to these characters and that they worked in the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rue and Andy was hoping for a much-needed break but crime seems to follow them even in the open ocean. An author goes missing at one of the ports after she is seen arguing with one of the dressed up "pirates".

When even the family isn't what they seem, it is up to Rue and Andy to bring her home even if it's in a body bag.

Combining books and travels, it is right up my alley.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a Seabreeze Bookshop Cozy Mystery, and it was a very light, easy read. This was the eleventh book in the series, and I hadn't read any of the others, but I warmed to the characters and found them fun. I really liked the whole seaside theme too.

Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light mystery that keeps you guessing until the end. There are several twists and turns in the story with some interesting characters to follow along. I like the two different settings of the story. The characters are very quirky and have different personalities which makes for interesting reading. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CatMomReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this quick, easy read as this time Rue and Andy go on a not-so-relaxing vacation on a cruise ship. The change of setting was nice and allowed for a bit of a "locked room" mystery feel.

There were many suspicious characters and lots of clues and honestly, I had no clue whodunnit so just went along for the ride as Rue chased down one lead after another.

Clean, quick paced and can be read as a standalone. Recommended to mystery lovers looking for a shorter read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a nice cruise to a mystery

I do adore Andy and Rue and although I can picture her I can never quite picture him but I picture them together. What a great little mystery. Rue does seem to be getting (I don’t want to say pushy) obsessed (?) in these later installments. I do like that she doesn’t confront the killer but hands off the information. That too me is unique in her mysteries. Full of new clues and her characters are always well done.

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick page turning cozy mystery novella with Rue and Andy taking a much needed vacation. Unfortunately an author goes missing which allows Rue and a reluctant Andy to have an opportunity to do some sleuthing. This book can be read as a standalone even though it is the 11th book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. A vacation becomes a search for a missing author. Rue seems to be the only one looking for clues with a slight assist from Andy. When it is revealed to be murder, I like how Rue used the clues to expose the killer at Ask Me Anything. I liked the way this book was written.

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Splash of Murder is the eleventh book in the Seabreeze Bookshop Cozy Mystery series. This is a fun addition to the series. This story takes Rue and Andy on a cruise where they are again embroiled in a mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kandi A. Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Cozy

I have liked everything I have read by this author, and this book is no exception. Set on a cruise, this story kept my interest. I particularly liked the dogs in the story as it added a fun canine interest. I like the characters and the story had a good pace. It was a quick but worthwhile read.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different twist on the series

In this book Rue leaves Massachusetts to go on a literary cruise. She is accompanied by Andy so the cast is reduced to just the two of them. When one of the star presenters on the cruise disappears at the first port of call Rue tries to get answers. A fun read.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

craziness during a hoped to be relaxing cruise, and drama ashore make for more drama and less fun in the sun

maybe a vacation from her vacation should be next?


so much drama, colorful characters and wacky action

[Carola Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different but great.

I always enjoy reading the Seabreeze Bookshop books. And this one didn’t disappoint even being in a different setting Rue was there, and Andy was there. Great fun!

[Jennifer Laird-Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rue and Andy go on a literary cruise and end up getting knee deep in a mystery. Good book and likeable characters. I would recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachel White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Good One!

I do enjoy this series very much. I have become attached to the main characters and the pets as well. These are good, clean cozy mysteries and I recommend them to all!

[Karin Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Helen Cassidy and why??? If she minded her own business??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Juanita E. Arp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book, it has a well written storyline and I can't wait to read more from this author. I received this book as a Free ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.

[Joy Jairl · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read

I have read this whole series in less than 2 weeks. Each book has kept me from sleep, wanting to get to the next page. Thank you for these!

[Barbara Symons · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

Yet another good book in this series! This one involves a cruise with a mysterious death involved and leave it up to Rue to solve the mystery!